Amphitrite

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Transcript of Amphitrite

Amphitrite is the goddess of the sea and the wife of Poseidon, king of the sea. Unlike most goddesses, Amphitrite does not possess many special powers. Her only ability is to calm the sea. She is known as the mother of sea life. Depending on the version, Amphitrite has two sets of parents. Hesoid's version places her as one of Nereus and Doris's fifty daughters. However, Apollodonus's version places her as the daughter of Oceanus and Thetys, making her one of three thousand sea nymphs. Amphitrite and Poseidon had four children: Triton, Rhode, Kymopoleia, and Benthesikyme. The myth of Amphitrite and Poseidon's marriage has two variations. In the first variation, Poseidon spots Amphitrite singing with some of her many sisters and kidnaps her. He then forces her into marrying him and becoming the goddess of the sea. In the second variation, Amphitrite is a very shy girl, and she runs away when she discovers Poseidon is interested in her. She hides in the Atlantic Ocean, and Poseidon has all of the sea looking for her. A dolphin finds her and persuades her to come back and marry Poseidon. She agrees, and Poseidon turns the dolphin into a constellation out of gratitude. In another myth, Amphitrite meets one of Poseidon's sons from a different lover underwater to help him prove his father is the king of the sea. He must bring back a ring that was thrown into the sea by King Minos. When he reaches Amphitrite, she gives him a golden crown to bring his mother as a gift from Poseidon. Amphitrite's Roman equivalent is Salacia, who is the wife of King Neptune. Amphitrite's connection to modern society can be found with the Amphitrite Point Lighthouse in British Columbia. This lighthouse, located on Amphitrite Point, became a landmark after many shipwrecks occurred. It is known for its violent weather, and it is the spot of the seven shipwrecked ships, all with the name HMS Amphitrite. The point was named for the Greek goddess of the sea hundreds of years ago and remains a popular tourist attraction.